Have You Seen This? Pilot celebrates final flight with daughter as co-pilot

OAKLAND — Days before Father's Day, a Southwest Airlines pilot got to celebrate his final flight as a pilot with his daughter by his side at the helm.

Before the plane took off, first officer Julia Curtis announced the journey from Las Vegas to Oakland would be the captain's final journey. It was Capt. Jim Curtis' 65th birthday, meaning it was his last day to be a pilot as the airline industry requires pilots to retire at that age.

Julia Curtis said she was so grateful to get to be on the captain's "fini flight."

"I'm really honored to be Capt. Curtis' first officer today because Capt. Curtis has been a mentor for me my entire life. In fact, he inspired me to be a pilot," she said.

Plane passengers clapped and cheered as the first officer continued her speech.

"He also helped teach me how to walk, how to talk, how to ride a bike, how to throw a baseball, how to drive a car and probably most importantly, he taught me how to carry myself with humility, kindness and integrity, both in and out of work. Because, Capt. Curtis is also my dad," she said with a smile.

Julia Curtis recently joined Southwest as a pilot through the Destination 225° Program. In an interview with Southwest, she said she was the 200,000th employee of the airline.

Jim Curtis joked that even though his daughter had been working a full-time job with Southwest for four months, she is still on his cellphone plan.

Julia Curtis wanted to fly ever since she was a little girl who would visit Travis Air Force Base with her dad.

She saw how much her dad loved being a pilot and adored flying and it inspired her to do something she loves too. After her first discovery flight, she knew it was where she needed to be.

"Flying with my dad I've seen a lot of the legacy that he's going to leave behind," she said. "Everything he does, he gives his best effort. Whether that be his job, a coach, a father, a husband — he's always 100% there with us."

The flight attendants passed out Popsicle sticks with pictures of Jim Curtis for everyone to hold, and he got a standing ovation as he left the plane after the flight.

"Seeing him do that with always the positive attitude that he comes with has always inspired me," Julia Curtis said.